Harry walked with a carefree smile through the street, occasionally nodding or smiling at familiar faces or those who greeted him. He also got strange looks as he was currently in the southern part of the city, where most of the noble clans resided. His presence in this particular neighbourhood was rare, almost non-existent. So, it was not surprising that the 'nobles' that inhabited this slice of the Seireitei found him to be an object of fascination.
Also, the speed of rumours passing in the city was faster than the speed of a flash step. Therefore, he suspected that several exaggerated versions of what happened during the Bount invasion were circulating in the area. He heard a rumour that he supposedly arm-wrestled the Ryujin Jakka from the Captain Commander's hands and used it to kill the Bount leader Kariya in a dramatic final battle. He had the sneaking suspicion that the pink-haired hellraiser lieutenant of squad 11 started that particular rumour. That was her idea of annoying him.
To make matters worse, Harry learned the mad, battle-hungry captain of squad 11, Zaraki Kenpachi, was asking around about his whereabouts. Considering discretion was the better part of valour, he chose to sneak out of Squad 13's barracks and visit Rukia. It had the added benefit of checking on his subordinate as well as lying low from a possible murder attempt.
The Kuchiki clan compound stood tall in the distance as Harry finally neared it, its pristine white outer walls and meticulously tended gardens radiating the grandeur of nobility and the strict military discipline of its members. Sunlight filtered through the Sakura trees lining the outer walls, scattering soft patterns across the stone pathways. For most, the place was slightly intimidating but also had an aesthetic charm.
The guards on their posts at the entrance let him pass after noting his name and the time of entry in a register. Once inside, he saw the familiar wooden houses of the Kuchiki clan neatly arranged in columns.
Harry closed his eyes and sent out his senses in search of his subordinate's spirit energy.
"Hmm." Harry hummed as he opened his eyes, having traced Rukia. "Interesting."
He recognised some other familiar spirit energies near Rukia. That didn't stop his stride as he walked further into the clan grounds. The compound was largely peaceful with only the sound of whistling wind in his ears, but that changed when he neared his destination.
Raised voices shattered the serenity before he even reached the inner courtyard of the Kuchiki estate.
"I'm telling you, it was a setup!"
A loud, indignant shout came from one of the houses, resonating with righteous fury.
'Yep, that's definitely Ichigo Kurosaki.' Harry mused idly as he slowly walked closer to the sound's source.
"That's what I said!"
A new voice shouted back.
From the familiar feeling he got from the spirit energy, Harry deduced it was Renji Abarai.
"You agreed to drink with her!" Renji continued to shout, and Harry finally saw the red-haired lieutenant jab a finger in the direction of the orange-haired substitute soul reaper.
"I didn't know she'd bring out the good stuff!" Ichigo yelled back.
Harry slowed his steps, an amused glint flickering in his eyes.
Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai were arguing loudly right outside Rukia's bedroom.
He stopped just short of the garden arch, listening and watching as the event unfolded before his eyes.
"I can't believe we missed the fight!" Ichigo snapped. "Kariya was right there, just a few miles from us! Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Harry were battling him, and we're passed out like idiots!"
Renji crossed his arms, scowling at Ichigo.
"Don't look at me. You were the one who challenged Matsumoto to a drinking contest!" Renji said with a huff.
"That was a mistake!"
"From what I heard, you made many mistakes last night." Renji mocked.
Ichigo clenched his fists.
"You didn't even warn me!"
"I warned you! I said, 'Don't try to outdrink her!'" Renji reminded with an indignant look.
"That was after my third bottle!"
Harry bit back a laugh. As someone who orchestrated the exclusion of the human children from the battle, he was immensely proud that his little plan went off without a hitch. True, he had to agree to foot the bill of Rangiku's drinking habits for a whole year, but it was worth it in his book, so long as the human children were removed from such conflicts.
He straightened his uniform and carefully arranged his features into something suitably neutral, then serious. As lieutenant of Squad 13, and someone deeply involved in the battle Ichigo and his friends had missed, it wouldn't do to appear amused—no matter how entertaining their misery was.
Just as he was about to step forward, the shōji door behind the arguing pair slammed open.
"SHUT UP!"
The shout cracked through the courtyard like thunder.
Harry, Ichigo and Renji froze.
Rukia Kuchiki stood in the doorway, hair tousled, eyes blazing, her sleeping robe hanging loosely around her shoulders. She looked half-awake with murderous eyes as she glared at Ichigo and Renji.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?!" she yelled. "I am injured! I am recovering! And the two of you are screaming outside my bedroom like a pair of drunken monkeys!"
Ichigo recoiled.
"Rukia—"
Renji raised his hands defensively.
"Hey, we were just—"
"I DON'T CARE!" she snapped. "Go argue somewhere else before I personally introduce your skulls with my foot!"
There was a long silence following that outburst. A single leaf drifted lazily across the courtyard.
"…Sorry," Ichigo muttered, looking anywhere but into the accusing eyes of Rukia.
"Yeah," Renji added, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Our bad."
Rukia glared at them for a moment longer, then turned sharply and slammed the door shut again.
"Whew!" Ichigo and Renji let out a collective relieved breath.
"It seems Rukia has recovered. That's good news. Isn't that so, gentlemen?" Harry said from right behind Ichigo and Renji once he expertly sneaked behind them.
Both Ichigo and Renji jumped in fright.
They turned to see Harry standing at the edge of the garden, calmly watching them—but his eyes betrayed faint amusement.
"Lieutenant Harry!" Renji said, his eyes wide.
Ichigo squinted, and his face set up in his classic frown.
"You heard all that, didn't you?"
"Every word," Harry replied evenly.
"Great." Renji groaned.
Harry approached them, hands folded behind his back. He looked between the two with his green eyes before settling on Ichigo.
"So," he said lightly, "you were tricked out of the battle by Matsumoto. That must sting."
Ichigo clenched his fists and gnashed his teeth in frustration.
"She did it on purpose!"
"Indeed, she did." Harry nodded.
Renji blinked, noticing his fellow lieutenant wasn't even remotely phased by the information.
"Wait, you knew?"
"Of course," Harry replied. "I asked her to keep Ichigo and his friends from further conflict."
Ichigo froze.
"What did you say?" Ichigo asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You?" Renji stared with wide eyes in genuine amazement.
Harry met Ichigo's eyes calmly.
"I needed you out of harm's way."
"That's not fair!" Ichigo protested. "I could've helped!"
"You would've charged straight at Kariya," Harry countered calmly. "…without knowing the full scope of his power and his intentions. And you might have died."
"I'm not weak." Ichigo argued.
"You're not, and neither are the captains of Soul Society. You are the substitute shinigami responsible for protecting Karakura Town. Your involvement in matters related to Soul Society is troubling to say the least."
"Hey! What's your problem?" Ichigo scowled, glaring into Harry's face.
Harry let out a breath he was holding and looked at Ichigo earnestly.
"Listen closely, Ichigo Kurosaki. My advice to you is to focus on living your natural human life and leave matters of the spirit world to the Gotei 13. For your own good and for the collective good of your friends and families, I hope you heed my advice." Harry said seriously.
Ichigo scowled and walked off while muttering something unintelligible under his breath. Harry watched the kid go with a calm expression, unfazed by the passive insult. The door to Rukia's room slid open once more, and Rukia poked her head out.
"He doesn't mean to insult you, Lieutenant Harry." Rukia said, looking apologetically at Harry.
"He is your friend, is he not?" Harry asked.
"Yes, sir." Rukia nodded.
"Then impress upon him and his human friends the need to keep a distance from the affairs of Soul Society in the future. I say this not because I do not value their efforts in your rescue, Rukia, but out of genuine concern for their well-being." Harry said, casting a look at the back of Ichigo.
"We do not have a good track record in handling spiritual beings operating outside Soul Society's jurisdiction." Harry reminded the two. "Ichigo Kurosaki and his human friends are still children. They should enjoy the life of a human instead of taking on the responsibilities that come with being a soul reaper."
What he didn't say was that Ichigo Kurosaki was not the first substitute shinigami. The Gotei 13 had in the past worked closely with another substitute soul reaper, and it ended in disaster. That particular can of worms remained a permanent stain in the record of Squad 13. Other than Harry, only a select few captains of the Gotei 13 knew exactly what had transpired with their very first substitute soul reaper, Ginjo Kugo.
It was for this reason that Harry initially opposed adding a tracker to Ichigo's badge capable of monitoring the kid's spirit energy. Having learned much of what happened from sealed records in Squad 13 and from Captain Ukitake's own mouth, Harry felt like the Gotei 13 was repeating the same mistake with Ichigo Kurosaki.
If he could help it, he hoped to prevent such a mistake from happening again with the children.
Turning his attention back to Rukia, he looked over her once.
"How are you holding up?" Harry asked.
"The healers did their best, and I think I'm nearly recovered." Rukia said with a note of confidence.
"That's good to hear." Harry said. "But take your time, Rukia. This time, take a week off."
"Yes, sir." Rukia nodded with a smile.
Harry walked away from Rukia's room, and on the way, he met Captain Kuchiki. But the man just walked by without so much as a glance in his direction.
'Nobles.' Harry rolled his eyes and continued walking back to his squad barracks.
******
Only three days passed since the Bount invasion, and the Head Captain summoned Harry. Unfortunately, the summons arrived on what was supposed to be his day off. He was planning to take Rangiku out on a date as per their prior agreement. Though he was coerced into the date by Rangiku for her help in keeping Ichigo Kurosaki and his band of troublemaker friends out of the conflict, he was looking forward to the date.
The corridor leading to the captains' meeting hall remained vacant. Harry walked along its length by himself with each step echoing faintly in his ears. The exact nature of the meeting was lost on him, and no matter how many times he tried to glean something from Captain Ukitake, the friendly captain made up excuses to keep himself busy.
When he reached the massive wooden doors, he paused.
'All right,' he thought.'Whatever this is… I'm facing it properly.'
He slid the doors open and stepped inside. The meeting hall was long, with polished floorboards gleaming in the sunlight.
Four figures were waiting for him inside.
At the other end of the hall stood the towering leader of the Gotei 13 himself, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Flanking the Head Captain were his two former students, Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku. Standing a bit far from the three was Captain Unahona.
"Lieutenant Harry, reporting as ordered, Head Captain." Harry said, with his head bowed.
The Head Captain tapped the floor with his staff before slowly opening his eyes. Harry came out of the bow and stared straight into the eyes of the Head Captain.
"Lieutenant Harry," Yamamoto said. "You have served with distinction during the Bount invasion. Your actions in coordinating the Kido Corps, stabilising multiple battlefields, and preventing catastrophic loss by dealing promptly with multiple Bounts have thwarted the vile plans of Jin Kariya."
Harry blinked slightly and relaxed a little.
"I only did what was expected of me." Harry said, his eyes straying to Captain Ukitake.
"You're far too modest, Harry-kun. Your foresight and planning have undoubtedly averted what was leading to be a great disaster in Soul Society." Captain Ukitake said with a smile.
"And I rather like my barracks intact, so I'm personally grateful." Captain Kyoraku said with a carefree wave.
"However," Yamamoto continued as if his students hadn't spoken, "this is not merely a commendation."
He gestured with his staff.
"Three captain positions remain vacant. The betrayal of Sosuke Aizen and his fellow traitorous accomplices has shattered the confidence among the ranks of soul reapers."
The memory of the false calm, the manipulation, the treachery that had nearly broken Soul Society came into Harry's mind. He had considered the man a mentor and a gentle soul. To have been so beguiled by Aizen didn't sit well with him. Hearing that man's name itself brought a righteous fury in his heart.
"Squad five," Yamamoto went on, "suffered most. It was once a pillar of stability. Now it is the centre of weakness in the Gotei 13. Morale is low. Discipline has all but fled among them, and it was clear for us to see during the Bount invasion."
The Head Captain fixed Harry with a piercing stare.
"The Gotei 13 cannot afford weakness."
Harry straightened unconsciously.
"Therefore," Yamamoto said, his voice resonating throughout the hall, "I have reached a decision."
He lifted his staff slightly and tapped it on the floor.
"Lieutenant Harry, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain. You will assume command of Squad 5 and oversee the Kido Corps as its acting commander."
The words struck like thunder.
For a heartbeat, Harry could not speak.
'Captain of Squad 5? Aizen's former division!' Harry felt his head spin at the thought of leading a division full of soul reapers, mistrustful of each other.
Worst of all, he'd have a dysfunctional lieutenant to deal with in the form of one Momo Hinamori.
As if that were not enough, he also received an additional responsibility as the leader of the Kido Corps.
"Sir…?" he managed to croak out.
"Congratulations, Harry-kun." Captain Ukitake's smile widened.
"Looks like you've climbed the mountain faster than most of us did." Captain Kyoraku tipped his straw hat.
Harry dropped into a bow before the Head Captain.
"I… I'm honoured, Head Captain. But are you certain? There are others—more experienced than I—"
"Experience without judgment is worthless," Yamamoto cut in. "You have demonstrated foresight, restraint, and leadership under pressure. Qualities that cannot be taught."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You understand the cost of power. That is why you are suited."
Harry swallowed. He had nothing contradictory to say to that.
"…I will not fail you." Harry said instead, accepting the position in his mind.
"See that you do not," Yamamoto replied seriously with a hard stare.
Then the Head Captain's eyes narrowed.
"Before this appointment is finalised, there is one matter remaining."
Harry looked at the captains curiously.
"Your Bankai." Captain Unahona spoke up, having so far remained silent.
Harry's head jerked to the side as he had all but forgotten the Squad 4 captain was present in the meeting.
"Captain Unahona is right." Yamamoto nodded. "A captain must be capable of overwhelming force, and the Bankai is the pinnacle of power a Soul Reaper can achieve. You have not yet demonstrated your Bankai before this council."
"Head Captain… my Bankai is not suited for enclosed spaces." Harry tentatively said.
Yamamoto raised an eyebrow and observed Harry for a long moment.
"Explain." Yamamoto commanded.
"It affects space itself," Harry said. "When fully released, it can envelop and impose itself over a whole dimension. If activated here, it would… distort this chamber, possibly beyond repair."
Silence fell in the hall.
"A wide area affecting Bankai. That sounds terribly inconvenient." Kyoraku whistled softly.
Captain Ukitake exchanged a meaningful look with Captain Kyoraku.
Yamamoto studied Harry for several seconds.
"Old man, I don't think we need to turn Squad 1 into a testing lab. You know, a Bankai like that might sometimes bring less-than-pleasing results. Better it be used in desperate times." Captain Kyoraku said.
"We still need to confirm the existence of a Bankai." Yamamoto said.
"Well, that is quite easy to confirm." Captain Kyoraku said with a smirk.
Harry looked at him, as did everyone else.
"Manifest your zanpakuto spirit. Bring it into the real world." Kyoraku smiled lazily. "It is one of the first signs of Bankai training. And the spirit can confirm whether Harry-kun has achieved Bankai."
Yamamoto considered, then nodded once.
"Very well. Proceed."
Harry took a slow breath. He closed his eyes.
'All right,' he thought. 'Let's do this. Come out, Amaterasu.'
He reached inward deep into his inner world, where the sun shone brightly in the endless blue sky.
The space beside him rippled, and Amaterasu materialised. She appeared with a flare of power that brought warmth and danger in equal measure. Her long red hair flared with a gold aura, and her eyes shone like emeralds. She was dressed in her usual red kimono, with a sword at her waist.
"My wielder has achieved Bankai." Amaterasu claimed, her eyes straying to Harry. "But mastering it entirely is a whole other question."
The Head Captain's lips twitched in faint amusement.
"Hmph. That will be more than enough for now." the Head Captain declared.
Amaterasu inclined her head gracefully before dissolving into nothingness. Harry felt his Zanpakuto spirit settle back into his inner world.
Yamamoto looked at Captain Unahona and nodded. Captain Unahona presented the Captain's haori, with the kanji for five boldly printed on its back, to Harry.
"By my authority as the Head Captain of the Gotei 13, I invest in you the title of Captain of Squad 5 and the title of Commander of the Kido Corps." Yamamoto declared and tapped the floor with his cane.
Captain Unahona placed the haori over his shoulders. Harry slipped into it seamlessly, and he slowly untied the lieutenant badge that had so far defined him. He looked at the badge and felt like he lost something by no longer being the Lieutenant of Squad 13.
"Though I've been a lieutenant of Squad 13 for a brief time, I feel I've got no qualms in saying that I'll miss working closely with you, Captain Ukitake." Harry said, offering the badge to his former captain with a smile. "But I take heart in the knowledge that I shall work closely with you as a fellow captain."
"Squad 13 will surely miss you, but I'm sure Squad 5 and the Kido Corps will appreciate you more, Captain Harry." Captain Ukitake said, taking the offered badge with a gentle smile.
Captain Ukitake patted Harry's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you. Do well."
"That means a lot, Captain." Harry said sincerely.
Captain Kyoraku slung an arm around his shoulders in a friendly manner.
"Welcome to the big boy's club, kid." Kyoraku said.
"There will be a formal captains' meeting in a week, where you will be introduced to the rest of the captains. Till then, I suggest you focus on the transition into Squad 5 and the Kido Corps." Yamamoto said.
"Yes, sir." Harry nodded, taking the advice to heart.
As he left the chamber, white haori flowing behind him, the reality finally settled in. He was no longer just a lieutenant. He was now a captain, the highest position a soul reaper could aspire to in the Gotei 13. From the balcony outside the meeting hall, he watched the Seireitei bathed in the golden light of the sun.
A gentle wind whistled past Harry as he took in the scene.
He had no misconception about the difficult task that lay ahead. He'd have the difficult task of healing the wounds left by Aizen's betrayal in his squad.
"All right," Harry muttered, staring ahead into the depths of the city. "Let's begin."
AN:
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